Philippines, New Zealand start talks on Sovfa

The Philippines and New Zealand have started negotiations for a possible Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (Sovfa), the Department of National Defense and New Zealand Embassy in Manila said on Wednesday.

Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defence Director Kathleen Pearce led the negotiations in Manila on Jan. 23.

The first round of negotiations, according to a joint statement, “marked an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties” between the Philippines and New Zealand.

They said a commitment to come up with a Sovfa was among the key issues discussed by President Marcos and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during the latter’s visit to Manila in April.

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The Sovfa would enable both countries’ troops “to elevate their cooperative activities and conduct exercises in each other’s territories, deepening overall defense and military cooperation,” they added.